How Do You Resolve Conflict? How to Answer + Examples

Conflict is a natural part of any workplace, but if employees can resolve it in a way that maintains good relationships and minimizes disruptions, then businesses can thrive despite it. Employees who can successfully resolve conflict enhance the flow of business and positively impact team morale and productivity.

Your conflict resolution skills and self-awareness are important to your employer. If you’re thinking about answering the “How do you resolve conflict?” interview question, here’s a look at what interviewers are looking for, plus some example responses.

How to Answer, “How Do You Resolve Conflict?” in a Job Interview

While employers are interested in how you handle conflict, they also ask this question because your answer reveals a lot about your personality and communication style.

They want to know that you’re adaptable, empathetic, and focused on solutions. Here are seven fundamentals of skilled conflict resolution with example answers:

Listening
Keeping an open mind
Focusing on the solution
Addressing conflicts promptly
Bringing in different perspectives
Engaging with empathy
Following up

1. Tell Them How You Use Active Listening

Misunderstandings escalate conflict. Active listening is an essential component of effective conflict management. Listening is a show of respect and makes people feel heard and understood.

Your prospective employer will want to know you can give calm and undivided attention to the person, asking follow-up questions that clarify their concern. If you’re interviewing for a position as a manager, you’ll want to add that you carefully listen to both sides of the story before seeking a resolution.

Here’s an example answer that incorporates active listening skills:

Sample answer: “In my experience, active listening is pivotal in resolving conflicts. When facing a disagreement or misunderstanding, my first priority is to listen without interrupting. Then, I follow up with clarifying questions.

I calmly and objectively share my perspective only once I’ve fully grasped their viewpoint. I’ve found that active listening is the most important tool for conflict resolution. It helps de-escalate tension quickly and leads to stronger professional relationships.”

2. Keep an Open Mind, Maintaining Objectivity

People are heavily influenced by their past experiences and behavior. Whether you are interviewing for a leadership position or will work with others on a team, your employer wants to know you can maintain objectivity and be open to other viewpoints. Maintaining objectivity gives you a more resourceful perspective for solving problems.

Sample answer: “I firmly believe in the importance of keeping an open mind and maintaining objectivity. As I listen to the other person or people, I take a step back and assess the situation from a neutral standpoint. This allows me to grasp the conflict’s root cause and each person’s perspective. This objectivity helps arrive at a fair resolution and ensures that all parties feel heard and understood.”

3. Focus on Solutions Using Non-Confrontational Language

Employers want team members who are solution-focused. This is true in many situations, and especially in conflict resolution, where the best solutions are collaborative. Your employer will be happy to hear you aim to use non-confrontational language to guide the other parties to contribute to a mutually beneficial solution.

If you’re interviewing for a leadership position, facilitating discussions between team members can help them create a win-win resolution. This requires strong communication skills, impartiality, and a solution-focus.

Sample answer: “I focus on solutions using non-confrontational language. Instead of pointing out faults or laying blame, I engage the parties in problem-solving to achieve it collaboratively. Doing this makes the conversation more about finding a solution than assigning blame. This approach fosters a positive and collaborative environment where team members can work together towards common goals.”

4. Promptly Address Conflicts

Simple misunderstandings can fester into deep resentments if they persist. When answering, “how do you resolve conflict?” in a job interview, you’ll want to emphasize the importance of quickly addressing any conflict that arises.

The faster a conflict is resolved, the less strain it places on the team. Immediately addressing disagreements helps prevent damage to professional relationships and supports a harmonious work environment. Teams that regularly engage in conflict resolution develop a toolkit of strategies and approaches.

Sample answer: “I’ve found promptly addressing conflicts helps avoid escalation or unnecessary tension. I initiate a dialogue as soon as I’m aware of a potential conflict. I aim to create a safe space where people can express their concerns and feelings without judgment. By tackling the issue head-on, we can often find a resolution before it becomes a larger problem, keeping the team focused and productive.”

5. Bring in Different Perspectives

Sometimes, a conflict needs a mediator or a fresh perspective. If two team members are locking horns and unable to find their way toward common ground, bringing in mentors, neutral team members, or leaders can be helpful.

When you tell your interviewer you’re willing to bring in neutral third parties if needed, it shows you aren’t entrenched in your position. Instead, you demonstrate a willingness to develop solutions that satisfy everyone.

Sample answer: “Disagreements often result from individuals coming at a situation from their unique experiences and beliefs. When listening, keeping an open mind, and focusing on a collaborative solution doesn’t bring a satisfactory resolution, I sometimes involve a neutral third party or solicit input from other team members who aren’t directly involved. This can provide fresh insights and alternative solutions I might not have considered. We often find a middle ground by valuing and integrating diverse perspectives.”

6. Engage with Empathy

Empathy is a robust leadership skill that allows you to mediate peaceful resolutions by understanding different people’s perspectives. Your interviewer wants to know if you can put yourself in other people’s shoes to work toward a win-win solution.

Sample answer: “When faced with a disagreement, I consciously place myself in the other person’s shoes. By genuinely trying to grasp where they’re coming from, I can address the issue with sensitivity and genuine understanding. Helping the other person feel heard and acknowledged often helps de-escalate the situation. From there, we can collaboratively find a solution that respects everyone.”

7. Follow Up

A quick check-in to follow up after a conflict is resolved helps to build and maintain positive working relationships. This simple gesture demonstrates genuine care and commitment to the well-being of everyone involved.

Sharing this skill in an interview tells your prospective employer you are committed to forging strong work relationships and becoming a better problem-solver. Here’s an example answer to the “How do you resolve conflict” interview question incorporating following up:

Sample answer: “Successful conflict resolution lays the foundation for strong professional relationships. To help build trust and improve my conflict resolution skills, I make it a point to check in after some time has passed. If anything is left unresolved, opening the communication creates a space to clear that up.”

Conflict Resolution Is a Leadership Skill

Showing you understand the importance of resolving conflicts and building strong professional relationships demonstrates you’re a great team player and a potential leader. You don’t have to include all these conflict resolution skills in your answer, but you can use them to craft a compelling response for your interview.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, Insight Global can help. Browse our open jobs to get started today!

Not ready to apply? Check out our other posts covering how to answer some of the most common interview questions: